The Observer's Job
What do Observers do?
Observers gather biological data onboard commercial fishing boats. This information is used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to manage the commercial fisheries. While onboard vessels, observers identify crabs, scallops, and fish species, collect and record data on sex and lengths, and document the location and amount of each species caught.
What is the work like?
Working conditions onboard fishing boats vary widely, but are almost always strenuous. The boats range in size from 60-foot longliners to 300-foot processing factories. Observers often work out on an open deck, and may spend hours at a time in cold or wet weather. Observers must be flexible and resourceful in establishing a "sampling station" and sampling methods. Sampling and paperwork require observers to work long and odd hours, seven days a week. Observers determine their own workday depending on the vessel's fishing schedule. They often work 12 hours a day, and rarely sleep uninterrupted for eight hours. Sampling may require lifting heavy baskets of fish or shellfish (up to 60 pounds) several times a day.
Learning to live onboard a boat requires a certain flexibility and an ability to get along with different types of people. Accommodations onboard range from spartan to almost plush, but quarters are typically confined, and observers usually share a cabin with one to six crew members. Toilet facilities are shared, and are often used by both men and women. Alaska waters are known for being rough, and seasickness can be a problem. Most crew persons are smokers.
Because the objectives of the observer and the crew are different, shipboard life can be stressful. The most important trait we look for is maturity, which includes adaptability, common sense, tolerance, patience, the ability to listen and understand people with different viewpoints, and thinking before acting. Having a flexible attitude, and being able to adjust to whatever comes is very important. Part of a flexible attitude is being able to "rough it", and adapt to the established routine onboard a fishing vessel. Successful observers are tactful, self-confident, and good communicators.
How long will I work?
Observer assignments coincide with the commercial fishing seasons, which change every year. The groundfish season usually opens in January and ends in November. Groundfish observers are trained December - August, and typically work three-month contracts. The crab season traditionally starts November 1 and ends in August. Observers in the crab program are trained in August, October, and/or December and typically work through December. The scallop season usually opens July 1 and ends in October, observers are then trained in June and typically work 3-4 month contracts.
Many Saltwater Inc. observers become cross-trained so they can work throughout the year. We support that, and will be glad to work with you to plan a work schedule for the year.
Is it Safe?
Working as an observer is physically demanding and hazardous. You need to be in good physical health to be an observer, for your safety as well as the safety of the people with whom you will be working. If you are selected to go into training, you will need to have a physical exam.
Saltwater Inc. insures it's observers with Alaska worker's compensation insurance with USL&H and maritime endorsements. This means you will be covered for work-related injuries whether performing duties on land or the boat. We believe that a focus on safety, a healthy body, and a heads-up, alert attitude can lessen the hazards of the job.
Training
New observers attend an intensive training session where they learn sampling methods, species identification, catch estimation, entry of data on forms, and other information necessary to perform their duties. The training for shellfish observers takes place in Anchorage, and the three-week training for groundfish observers takes place in Anchorage or Seattle.